New Orleans

Drop Me Off In New Orleans

New Orleansbayit is located in Uptown. Uptown is on the East Bank of the Mississippi River and includes a number of neighborhoods between the French Quarter and Jefferson Parish. Uptown has one of Greater New Orleans' most racially and economically diverse populations. It has always had a large African American population and was settled by immigrants from Italy, Ireland, and Germany in the 19th Century. When Hurricane Katrina hit, strong winds caused most buildings to suffer blown out windows and major roof damage and some were completely destroyed. Like most of the oldest parts of the city developed before 1900 on the city's higher ground, Uptown fared better in the flooding after the storm than newer lower lying neighborhoods.

The AVODAH Corps members live on Jefferson Avenue on the border between a neighborhood of large and expensive homes and the Freret Street corridor neighborhood. In post-Katrina years, new businesses and non-profits have opened their doors. The monthly Freret Street market is one of the most successful arts and food markets in the city, and the yearly Freret Street Festival draws thousands to the neighborhood.

The Uptown New Orleans bayit is within walking distance of Temple Sinai (Reform), Touro Synagogue (Reform), Congregation Anshe Sfard (Orthodox), the Tulane Hillel, Chabad House, and the Jewish Community Center. The bayit is also within walking distance of Tulane and Loyola Universities, Audubon Park (popular for jogging and picnics), grocery stores, and the shops on Magazine Street. It is easily accessible to the St. Charles streetcar line as well as numerous bus routes. New Orleans' lack of hills makes it a good place to use bicycles to get around. By bike, the entire city becomes accessible.

AVODAH truly did change my life and taught me things I would not have learned otherwise. It opened my eyes to different forms of injustice and taught me ways to work with the Jewish community, and the greater community to combat wrong-doings."